Sport Pilot Talk

The Bahamas was the first to open up for Sport Pilots flying Internationally. There are a few endorsments and stipulations you have to adhere to (ie. Class B,C and D endorsement) but it's definitely a start.

Read more about it:

http://www.airventure.org/news/2010/100801_bahamas.html

hell yeah.......

I know at least one SP that has been flying into Mexico without issue. Canada is supposed to be working on recognizing the SP cert.

Alright!!!!!! I've always wanted to do island hopping in the Bahamas! Currently it's in my fantasies but one day maybe I will fly to the Bahamas.

N918KT wrote:Alright!!!!!! I've always wanted to do island hopping in the Bahamas! Currently it's in my fantasies but one day maybe I will fly to the Bahamas.

Me too, now I just have to work on the Class B and C endorsements.

ArionAv8or wrote:

N918KT wrote:Alright!!!!!! I've always wanted to do island hopping in the Bahamas! Currently it's in my fantasies but one day maybe I will fly to the Bahamas.

Me too, now I just have to work on the Class B and C endorsements.

Do you have class D endorsement? I couldn't find anything in the FARs or ACs that indicates there can be more than one endorsement that covers D,C, and B.

To stay on topic -
I really hope Canada follows, as that's where I want to go.

Ron

Whom ever endorses your logbook needs to spell out which airspace you are cleared for. i.e. they could list b, c, and d in one single endorsement or just d, but they must list them. Seems kind of the long way around to write one up for each individual airspace. When you need to get these endorsements done just take the CFI into each airspace and do the radio work and have the CFI sign off for all at once. Class C & D are similar enough that they aren't a big deal. B can be a little more challenging since they are usually in very high traffic and higher speed systems. Some B control areas would rather LSA and even small aircraft like a 172 not even bother them.

I had thought that the Class D was the only one I really wanted. In Florida that would allow me to go to Lakeland, Bartow, Ocala, etc... I was never really worried about getting the Class C because I had no interest in going to Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, etc... and had absolutely NO desire to travel to ANY Class B airports. I guess with the new ruling for Sport Pilots traveling to the Bahamas I may have to re-think my position.

As you fly more xcountry, I think you'll find the ability to transit a Class C or land at an airport under a Class B veil to be worth getting the endorsement. Yes, I know you can often times go under the veil but I'm not a huge fan of flying 1000' AGL over heavily populated areas. Altitude is your friend

I would get C & D sign offs. Forget B.

Roger,

There was at lease one magazine article a year or so ago that said a tower endorsement was a tower endorsement... Does any other certificate spell out different classes?? The recommended endorsement reads "I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.325. I have determined he/she is proficient to conduct operations in Class B, C, or D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, or to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower." I think that last part should cover you

or read part 61.325

Code of Federal Regulations

Part 61 CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS
Subpart J--Sport Pilots

Sec. 61.325

[How do I obtain privileges to operate a light-sport aircraft at an airport within, or in airspace within, Class B, C, and D airspace, or in other airspace with an airport having an operational control tower? ]

[ If you hold a sport pilot certificate and seek privileges to operate a light-sport aircraft in Class B, C, or D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, or to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower, you must receive and log ground and flight training. The authorized instructor who provides this training must provide a logbook endorsement that certifies you are proficient in the following aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation:
(a) The use of radios, communications, navigation system/facilities, and radar services.
(b) Operations at airports with an operating control tower to include three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern, at an airport with an operating control tower.
(c) Applicable flight rules of part 91 of this chapter for operations in Class B, C, and D airspace and air traffic control clearances. ]

Somewhere , somebody thought it was an endorsement for EACH AIRSPACE BUT IT DOES NOT READ THAT WAY TO ME...
Brian...

Hi Brian,

Nice to hear from you again.
This is what I got out of the reading and this is the way it was explained to me by an FAA rep. I know FAA reps. have been wrong. Going into class D is totally different than class B. You have approach control and clearance delivery on the ground and different approach controls from different directions of approach. The logbooks I have seen here in Tucson have them listed and spelled out. The CFI won't put class B in the book if they have not been with you in class B. same with class C. I'm sure some CFI's see it differently. This would be a good question for Edsel Ford, top dog for the FAA in LSA. I'll give him a call today if I remember.

I have a COMM/INSTR & CFI but fly under sport pilot rules (no current physical). Can I fly into Canada?

eb

You know, the last time I checked I think, it seems that the AOPA website didn't make any updated changes about SPs flying to the Bahamas. Why it didn't make any changes?

Second, apart from the some of the news published about the SPs flying into Bahamas, I didn't see any news on the AOPA site, not even the EAA site about the SP/Bahamas rule change, except the Airventure website.

I don't understand why AOPA and EAA wouldn't write a story or update its info on SPs International flights to the Bahamas. Anyone know why?

One more articles opinion of Air Space endorsements for sport pilots..

http://www.aopa.org/sportpilot/?WT.mc_i ... c_sect=fex

It states in part>>>>>>>>>>>

""Student pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate aren't the only ones required to have airspace/airport endorsements. Even a certificated sport pilot must receive flight and ground training and an endorsement before flight into Class B, C, or D airspace or at airports within that airspace. Note, however, that student sport pilots need a separate endorsement for each airspace/airport, whereas for certificated sport pilots, one endorsement will cover all airspace types. Additionally, Part 91, Appendix D, Section 4 provides the list of Class B primary airports in which sport pilots are not permitted.""